Bauxite

Bauxite
 Bauxite
Bauxite is the source of 99% of metallic aluminum
Bauxite is a rock - a mixture of minerals. It consists of: Gibbsite g-AlO(OH)3,
Boehmite g-AlO(OH), Diaspore a-AlO(OH), quartz, kaolinite, goethite,
hematite, rutile, anatas
Two types of bauxite deposits:
Lateritic bauxites (silicate bauxites) were formed by weathering of various
silicate rocks including by weathering of various silicate rocks including
granite, gneiss, basalt, syenite, shale (Australia, India, Guinea, Brazil, Guyana,
Venezuela) mainly gibbsite
Karst bauxites (carbonate bauxites) were formed by lateritic weathering and
residual accumulation of clays Rather small deposits accumulation of clays.
Rather small deposits. (Greece, France, Montenegro, Hungary, Jamaica) mainly
boehmite, diaspore
90% of reserves are lateritic bauxites
 Aluminium

Does generally not occur as native metal

strong affinity to oxygen
Can very seldom be found as a minor phase in
certain volcanoes in low oxygen fugacity
environment
Was once considered to be more precious
than gold ( S/C story of Napoleon III (1808 -
1873) most honored guests were give
aluminum utensils)
STAGES IN ALUMINIUM PRODUCTION
ALUMINIUM PRODUCTION FLOW CHART

BAUXITE

BAYERS PROCESS
ALUMINA OR
ALUMINIUM OXIDE

HALL HEROULT PROCESS

PURE ALUMINIUM
BAYERS PROCESS FLOW CHART
BAYERS PROCESS SCHEMATIC ILLUSTRATION
BAYERS PROCESS CHEMICAL REACTIONS
HALL HEROULT PROCESS FLOWCHART
HALL HEROULT PROCESS SCHEMATIC ILLUSTRATION
 HALL HEROULT PROCESS
In the Hall-Hroult process, aluminum metal is obtained by
electrolytic reduction of alumina.
Pure alumina melts at over 2000C.
To produce an electrolyte at lower temperature, alumina is
dissolved in molten cryolite at 1000C.
The electrolyte is placed in an iron vat lined with graphite.
The vat serves as the cathode. Carbon anodes are inserted into the
electrolyte from the top.
The oxygen produced at the anodes reacts with them, forming
carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Therefore, the carbon anodes are consumed and need to be
replaced periodically.
Molten aluminum metal is produced at the cathode, and it sinks
to the bottom of the vat.
HALL HEROULT CHEMICAL REACTIONS
1 KG OF ALUMINIUM
Al in building
Al equipment and fixtures,industrial buildings
Al paint,metal spray finishes